Spies, lies and videotapes

The UK rolling news media has been obsessed with two stories all day today. Not Tony Blair in Afghanistan, not a school shooting in Germany, but spies, lies and battles over media convergence.

A former Russian spy poisoned by thallium in sushi has got the conspiracy theories, experts and former spies back into the cold light of media exposure. Correspondents have been out on the streets of London and Moscow rounding up commentators and atmospheric camera angles, and sexy graphic-ed packages were built up in time for the main evening bulletins. They all had their theories - criminals, warlords, revenge, the Russian state, Putin himself... they were loving it. Even more so when the UK's own security services announced they were looking into it. Indeed, the media book of spy stereotypes was dusted off today. Suffice to say, there was no word of the story on Russia Today...

Second obsession was Sky buying into ITV and Richard Branson not being very happy about it. As someone who rarely finds themselves on ITV anymore, this argument isn't about programming or content, is it? Tell me it's more to do about controlling distribution and convergence of platforms. Branson wants in to media (after 'merging' with ntl) and Sky wants to keep him out. The sorry tale has been referred to UK regulator OFCOM, so expect a fuzzy outcome and a whole lot of speculation from the rest of the media - such as the BBC particularly indulging in some schaudenfreuda - as to 'what this means'. Means stuff all to the massess who just want to see soaps and celebs in reality programmes.

The cold's a little better, thanks. Nothing that a hearty meal and a warm brandy at bedtime won't sort out.